Gas producer



Feb. 9 W26.

' 1,572,040 J. F. ROGERS GAS PRODUCER Filed Dec. 26, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet l Fy.J.

Fba 9 H926.-

GAS PRODUCER Filed Dec. 26, 1918 B I 74 v Feb. 9, 1926.

J. F. ROGERS GAS PRODUCER Filed Dec. 26, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet a Feb. 9,19%.

J. F. ROGERE GAS PRODUCER Filed Dec. 26, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. Beanies, or CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WELLMAN- I SEAVER-MORGAN comranmor CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION or OHIO.

Gas PRODUCER application filed December 26, 1918. Serial No. 268,293.

all i571 oin jitI'412-a 3/lco1ice'r)i.' Bejit l znown that, 1,; JOHN F., Romans, .a citizen ofthe UnitedStates, residing at Cleveland Heights; in the county of Cuyahoga and Statej of Ohio, have invented a Ce ;tain"f new' and-juseful Improvement in Ga s'Pro'diicer s, of which the followingis a full. clear, and exact description.

The objecto'f this inventionistated generally is to provide a mechanical gas procducerwhichwill'operatewith a high degree ot'efliciency and withla minimum of atten tion; I l f 'Anotherjobjectof the invention is to minimize, as much as possible, the formation otcli'nk ers in theproducer proper, and to insure such a breakingup and crushing of V the chnkers 1n the ash pan as 1S necessary for the'cificient operation of the machine.

Another object oftheinvention is to insurethe auto-matic withdrawal of ashes from thefash pan at iisuitable .rate which may he variedfaccording to requirements.

The producer shown in the drawing embodies the variousitnprovements which contribute to the production of the stated restilts; and the invention consistsof the combinat'ionsofpartslas'set forthin the appendedfclaiinsfl In the drawing, Fig.1 is an elevation of the" producer; Fig; 2 is' a central vertical section ofthe producerrFig. 3 is a top view of the producer and. 4: is a horizontal section in the plane "of-line AlB on Fig. 2. Theproducer includes a non rotating top lQ 'which' supported on a plurality of fcolumnsf26, 26 and in turn supports. certainpaijtsand mechanisms to be hereinafter [referred toad a Below his top lSJ a rotatable producer body, and various associated parts which are so connec ted jwith the producer body that they produce single rotating unit. At the top of the producer body is an annula1fwatei sealing] pan .13, and into this projects[an-annular sealing flange 10 which is apartof .th'e'itop 10 i Bel w'jthe rotating producer body is a coaxial rotatable ash panlinto' which the ash hopper 14 projects," -said ash hopper being fixed .to the producer vbody.

ZI The rotatable unitf of which the producer body is a part includes a sheet metal shell 15 having a fire brick lining 15"; a hollow blastring 16 forming a wind box winch is provided with apertures 16 through which air is discharged into the lowerportion of the producer body and which is secured to thejlower end of the shell 15 and helps to support the fire brick lining; a spider comprising a tapered ring 18 forming a portion of the wall of the producer body which is fixed to the lower side of the blast ring 16, a hollow hub 18*, and a plurality of (preferably three) hollow blast arms 18 which connect the hub 18 and the ring 18; and which at their outer ends communicate with the blast ring 16 through apertures 16; a hollow blast column 19 to the upper end of which the hollow hub 18 is securely fixed, and with which it-is in open communication;said-blast column having an outwardly projecting base 20 by means of which the described rotatable unit is supported upon a track ring 21, the top surface of which is obliquely conical, and fitted to the wheels22 which are mounted upon the base 20 and ride upon this track; and a tapered apron 14 forming the ash hopper fixed to the lower edge of the ring 18.

A blast hood 17 is secured upon the hollow hub 18? over an opening18 in the upper end thereof. A gear ring 23 is fixed to the base 20 and this is in mesh with a driving pinion 2% whereby the rotatable unit is turned. This pinion 24 is the lower terthe lower end of the blast column 19. It

carries at its upper end a deep water sealing pan 30; and the blast column carries a cylindrical flange 31 which extends downward into said sealing pan.

a represents an annular ash pan having upwardly diverging outer and inner walls. A sleeve 41 is formed on the upper edge of the inner wall, and this sleeve is rotatably fitted around the blast column 19, just below the spider hub 18. The location of the ash pan is such that the ash hopper apron 14 projects down into it.

The inclination of I the outer wall of the ash pan substantially corresponds with and is therefore substantially parallel with this ash hopper apron 14.

This ash pan is rota'tably supported upon the blast column base 20 through coned wheels 2-2 mounted on the base, and an obliquely coned track adin-the bottom of the ash pan whiclris fitted to ride on said wheels.

()11 the bottom of the ash pan also is formed a bevel gear ring 4. bevel pinion ]S in constant mesh with this gear, said :pinion being fixed to a shaft 46. which is mounted in bearings secured to the gear ring 23. A star wheel *8 is secured tothe outer end of shaft -Ll6i1i such position that, as the gear ring23 is rotated, this star wheel will periodically come into engagement with one or more pins 49 fixed to one or more of the standards 26, 26, and be turned thereby.

From the foregoing it will appear that there is no mechanical connection between the ash pan and the rotating unit of which the producer bodyis. a part which necessarily compels them to rotate in unison.

v Theyare capable of independent rotation about the same axis.

Normally they rotate in unison or in substantial unison. This being due primarily to the fact that the ash pan is supported on the base or lower part of the rotatable unit, which when the producer is iu operation is positively and contmuously rotated. Additionally the column of ashes supported by the ash pan and exi tending upward therefrom into the producer body would tend to cause the ash pan to rotate in substantial unison with the producer body. Every time, however, that the star wheelAS engages one of the pins 49 the ash pan will be turned relatively to the producer body. It is thus turned backward ously therefore at intervals one part goes a definite or predetermined amount faster than the other. This relative movement of i the ash pan and the hopper apron 14 which is formed with, vertically disposed ribs or corrugations will cause the column. of ashes sup orted by the ash pan to twist relative y to the material within the producer body, thereby disintegrating the clinkers and preventing in a large degree the formation of pipes within the fuel.

On the inner tace ot the inner wall. of the ash pan are a pluralityof spirally inclined wings 52 which extend from the top to the bottom of the ash pan. The shape of these wings is such that as the ash is'turned relatively to the producer these wings will force the ashes in the ash pan downward and'cause them to flow beneath the lower edge of-the apron 14. d

An inclined plow 60 which is mounted on one of the columns 26* projects down into the ash panbetween the outer wall thereof and the apt-011141 Therefore, while the ash pan, whereby the rate of discharge of ashes through the action of this plow may be varied as required. This adjustment is eilected by means of a' screw 60 which is mounted in hearings in the bracket 26", and screws into the adjustable lower end 60 of the plow. On its upper end this screw has i V a beveled gear 60 which meshes with a bevel gear 63, and this in turn meshes with a bevel gear 64, fixed to the lower end of a rotatable shaft 65 which has a hand wheel 6 at its upper end, by which this screw may he turned. and the adjustable lower end of the plow raised or lowered as required.

The fixed top 10 has through it a hole 70 for the discharge of the gas produced in the producer body. It likewise supports a fixed fuel feeding device 71 by means of which measured quantities of fuel may be periodically discharged into the producer so as to substantially maintain the desired fuel level therein. Any suitable fuel feeding device of 'which many varieties are known, may be employed for this purpose, although preference is g'iven't'o the'dev'ice which is shown in outline in Figs. 1 and 2.

"of the rock shafts towhich these pokers are secured are within chambers 84,.fixed to the top 10 and opening'only into the producing bodv. Thesepokers are different lengths, and therefore extend down into different Zones of fuel in the producer body, and are therefore capable of performing difi'erent but iu'iportant functionswhen the producer bodyis being operated'with a deep fuel ducer is operated for the production of ordii'iary producer gas, the fuel level in the producer is kept atv about the'point indicated by the line 78, in which case the shorter poker is unnecessary because it performs no func tion.

On the cndsot the two shafts 80, 81, which extend out of the said chambers,'opcrating arms 86, 87, are respectively secured, and these arms are respectively connected to eccentric straps 88, 89, which embrace and extend from eccentrics 90, 91, fixed to a shaft 92, which is also mounted on the top 10, these eccentrics being so placed that as said shaft turns the pokers are rocked in opposite directions This shaft'92 carries a ratchet 93. It likewise supports a rocking plate 94 which carries pawls 95 for engagement with said ratchet. The plate 94: is connected by a rod 96 with a crank 97 carried by the shaft 99 of one of the gears of the gear train 27. It is evident, therefore, that the rocking action of the pokers may be properly synchronized with respect to the rotation of the prodiuer.

Having described my claim 1. In a gas producer, the combination of a rotatable producer body having at its lower end a tapered ash hopper, means to rotate said producer body, a coaxial ash pan located below the producer body in such position that the lower part of the ash hopper invention, I

projects 'into'it, a mechanism which as the producer body and ash pan are turning will act automatically at predetermined intervals and compel the ash pan to turn a short distance at a different rate from that atwhich the producer body is turned.

2. In a gas producer, the combination of a revoluble producer body having an ash hopper fixed to and depending from said body, a rotatable ash pan which is disposed below and coaxially with said producer.

body and into which said ash hopper pro .jects, means for continuously rotating the pan is disposed below and coaxially with respect to said producer body, an ash hopper fixed to said producer body and extending therefrom down into the ash pan, spiral wings in the ash pan fixed to the inner Wall thereof, an inclined plow which projects into the ash pan between the outer wall and the ash hopper, and automatic means which act periodically to positively turn the ash pan relatively to theproducer body.

at. In a gas producer, the combination of a fixed top, a rotatable unit comprising a blast column having a supporting base, a spider fixed to said blast column and having hollow arms'which communicate with said blast column, an annular wind box whichis supported by said spider and into wh ch said blast arms discharge, and a producer body secured upon said wind box, said wind box having apertures dischargin into said producer body, an independently rotatable annular ash pan which surrounds said blast (olumn, means to rotatably support the ash pan, and means to occasionally turn the ash pan relatively to said rotatable unit.

5. Ina gas producer, the combination of a rotatable producer body, means for rotating it, a coaxial blast column-below said producer body, means through which said blast column disharges its blast into said producer body, and an independently rotatable annular ash pan which is located below said Cproducer body and which surrounds and has a rotatable engagement with said blast column, means for rotatably supporting said ash pan, an ash hopper fixed to the producer body and projecting into said ash pan, and automatic means to periodically turn the ash pan relatively to said producer body.

6. In a gas producer. the combination of a rotatable producer body, means for rotating it, a coaxial blast column below said producer body. means through which said blast colun'm'discharges its blast into said producer body, an independently rotatable annular-ash pan which is located below said producer body and which surrounds and has a rotatable engagement with said blast column, means for rotatably supporting said I ash pan, an ash hopper fixed to the producer body and prQ ectmg into said ash pan, automatic'means to perlodically turn the ash pan relatively to said producer body, and aninclined plow which projects into the ash pan outside of said ashhopper.

7, In a gas, producer, the combination of a rotatable producer body which is provided near its lower end with an annular wind box which forms a part of the wall of the producer body, a spider comprising a ring which is secured to the wind box, a hollow central member and a plurality of hollow arms extending therefrom to said ring and communica ing with said wind box, a hollow blastcolumn to the upper end of which said spider is attached, an outwardly extended base rigid with said blast column, an ash hopper secured to the ring ofsaid spider, an annular supporting track, and rollers interposed between said track and the base of said blast column whereby the unitary structure referred to is supported, an annular ash pan which is rotatably mounted upon said blast column in such position that the ash hopper referred to projects into it, rollers supporting said ash pan and interposed between it and the base of said blast column, means for rotating the producer body, and means for turning the ash pan periodically ielatively to the producer body.

8. In a gas producer, the combination of a rotatable producer body ha\-'ing near its lower end an annular wind box which forms a part of the wall of the producer body, a spider comprising a ring which is-secured to the wind box, a hollow central member. and a plurality of hollow arms extending therefrom to said ring andcommunicating with said wind box, a hollow blast column to-the .upperend of which said spider is attached, an outwardly extended base. rigid with said blast column, an apron secured to the ring of .said spider, an annular track, and rollers interposed between said track and the base of said blast column whereby the structurereferred to is supported, an annular ash pan which is rotatably mounted upon said blast column in such position that the ash hopper referred to projects into it, the rollers supporting said ash pan and interposed between it and the base of said blast column,

means for rotating the producer body, a. gear ring fixed to the ash pan, a shaft mounted on the base of the blast column, a. pinion fixed to said shaft engaging said gear ring, a star wheel fixed-to said shaft, anda 'fixed pin located in position to be engaged by said star wheel during the rotation of said ash pan.

9. In agas producer, the combination of a rotatable producer body. a concentric rotatable cylindrical hollow blast column, means operating on one of said members to turn it,

vmeans connecting said members to compel them to rotate in unison, an ash pan which rotatably surrounds the blast column, and

means to periodically prevent the ash pan from rotating in unison with the producer body and blast column.

It). In a gas producer, the combination of a. rotatable producer body, a concentric rotatable cylindrical hollow blast column. means operating on one of said members to turn it, means connecting said members to compel them to rotate in unison, an ash pan which rotatably surrounds the blast column, and automatically acting means to periodically prevent the ash pan from rotating in supported, means operating on the base to turn it, means connecting said blast column and producer body to compel them to rotate in unison, an ash pan which is rotatably supportednpon said base and which is formed with a sleeve which rotatably surrounds the hollow blast column, and auto matic means acting periodically to breventthe ash pan from rotating in unison with said blast column. I

12. In a gas producer, the combination of a vertical hollow blast column having a base,

means by which said base is rotatably supported, a producer body having a connection with said hollow blast column whereby 'the body and column rotate in unison, an ash pan which isrotatably supported uponthe base of said blast column and has a sleeve,

that rotatably surrounds the hollow blast column, and an annular gear upon its bottom, a shaft rotatably supported by the base of said blast column having a pinion which a rotatal'ile produ er body having at its lower.

end a corrugated hopper shaped apron, a rotatable ash pan supported below said producer and into which said apron pro ects, said ash pan having oppositely inclined inner and outer walls, meansfor turning the producer body, and means to periodically prevent the ash pan and producer body from rotating in unison.

engages said gear, a star wheel fixed to said- 1%. In a gas producer, the combination of a rotatable producer body having at its lower end a corrugated hopper shaped apron, a rotatable ash pan supported below said pro- .ducer and into which said apron projects,

said ash panhaving oppositely inclined in- ,ne-r and outer walls, means for turninglhe box located near the lower end of said. producer body and rotating therewith, a hollow central member, a plurality of hollow arms extending theretrom and communicating with said wind box, a rotatable hollow blast column the upper end of which communi cates'with said hollowcentral member, and an ash panlocated ad acent the. lower end of said producer body and adapted for relative.

rotation with respect thereto.

16. In a gas producer, the combination of a rotatable producer body, an annular wind box carried by and located near the lower end of said produrer body, a hollow central member, a plurality of hollow arms extending therefrom and communicating with said wind box, a rotatable hollow blast column the upper end of which communicates with said hollow central member, a rotatable ash pan located adjacent the lower end of said producer body, means for rotating one or said rotatable parts at a predetermined speed and means for causing the other of said rotatable parts to rotate at a different speed.

17. In a gas producer, a producer body and an ash receptacle beneath the same, bot-h rotatably mounted, and motion imparting and controlling means which when the producer is in operation causes both parts to rotate in unison and automatically and intermittently causes one of said parts to lag with respect to the other whereby a predetermined relative rotation between the parts is etl'ectcd. .7

1S. Ina producer, a producer body and an ash receptacle beneath the same, both rotatably mounted, and motion imparting and controlling means which when the producer is in operation causes both parts to rotate in unison and at earh revolution of the producer body automatically causes the producer body to rotate relative to the ash receptacle.

19. In a gas producer, a producer body and an ash receptacle beneath the same both rotatably mounted, and motion imparting and controlling means which when the producer is in operation causes a continuous regular motion to be imparted to one part and automatically causes a definite intermittent motion to be imparted to the other part.

20. In a gas producer, a producer body and an ash receptacle beneath the same both rotatably mounted, and movement imparting and controlling mechanism for causing both parts to rotate when the producer is in operation and operating automatically to cause one part to make a greater number of revolutions than the other in a given time.

21. In a gas producer, a producer body, an ash receptacle beneath the same, both of said parts being rotatably mounted, means for applying motion so as to cause the rotation of both said parts when the producer is in operation, and automatically operating means for causing one of said parts to turn in definite relation to the other.

22. In a gas producer, a producer body, an ash receptacle beneath the same, both said parts being rota-tably mounted, means for applying motion so as to cause the rotation of both of said parts'when the producer is in operation, and automatically operating means for periodically varying the rotation of one of said parts so as to cause a relative rotation between the two parts.

23. In a gas producer, a rotatable producer body, a rotatable ash receptacle beneath the same, means for rotating one of said parts whereby the other will be rotated, and means for automatically and at substantially regular intervals causing a relative rotation between said parts.

24. In a gas producer, a rotatable producer body, a rotatable ash receptacle beneath the same, means for positively and continuously rotating the producer body whereby the ash receptacle will be rotated in unison or substantial unison therewith, and automatic means to periodically prevent the ash pan from rotating in unison with the producer body.

25. In a gas producer, a rotatable producer body, a rotatable ash receptacle beneath the same, means for rotating the producer body whereby the ash receptacle will be rotated in unison or substantial unison with the producer body, and automatic means acting at intervals to cause the ash pan to make less than one revolution while the producer body is making one complete revolution.

26. In a gas producer, a rotatable producer body, a rotatable ash receptacle beneath the same, means for rotating the producer body whereby the ash receptacle will be rotated in unison or substantial unison with the producer body, and automatic means acting to periodically cause the ash receptacle to have a retarded rotation relative to the rotation of the producer body.

27. In a gas producer, a rotatable producer body having at its lower end a hopper shaped apron, an ash receptacle beneath the producer body into which said apron projects, and means for rotating the producer body and for causing the producer body to rotate relative to the ash receptacle, the porb tion of the apron within the ash receptacle having laterally projecting ash engaging means which exerts a disintegrating action during the rotation of the producer body relative to the ash pan upon the column of ashes within the apron supported by the ash receptacle.

28. In a gas producer, a rotatable producer body, a rotatable ash receptacle beneath the body and movement imparting and controlling means which causes the body and receptacle to rotate at times at substantially the same speed and at times relatively with one part rotating a definite amount faster than the other.

29. In a gas producer, a producer body, an ash receptacle beneath the same, both mounted for rotary movement and one rotatable with reference to the other, and

mechanical means for causing both the body and receptacle to be rotated when the producer is in operation, with one part making a definite number of revolutions less than the number of revolutions made by the other part during the same time.

30. In a gas producer, the combination with a fuel section and an ash pan, of means for imparting rotation to both of said parts in the same direction but at different speeds, 10

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my 1 signature.

JOHN F. Rooms. 

